Governor of New Mexico
| New Mexico Governor of New Mexico | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $110,000 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $6,359,800 |
| Term limits: | Two consecutive terms |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | New Mexico Constitution, Article V, Section 4 |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
Governor of New Mexico Michelle Lujan Grisham | |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | 2026 |
| Last election: | 2022 |
| Other New Mexico Executive Offices | |
| Governor •Lieutenant Governor •Secretary of State •Attorney General •Treasurer •Auditor •Commissioner of Public Lands •Secretary of Education •Agriculture Secretary •Insurance Superintendent •Secretary of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources •Secretary of Workforce Solutions •Public Regulation Commission •Public Education Commission | |
TheGovernor of the State of New Mexico is an elected constitutional officer, the head of the executive branch and the highest state office inNew Mexico. The governor is popularly elected every four years by a plurality and is limited to two consecutive terms.[1]
New Mexico has a Democratictrifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.
New Mexico has a Democratictriplex. The Democratic Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.
Current officeholder
The current Governor of New Mexico isMichelle Lujan Grisham (D). Lujan Grisham assumed office in 2019.
Authority
Thestate Constitution addresses the office of the governor inArticle V, the Executive Department.
Under Article V, Section 4:
The supreme executive power of the state shall be vested in the governor...[1] |
Qualifications
UnderArticle V, Section 3, a candidate for the governorship must be:
- at least 30 years old
- a citizen of the United States
- a resident of New Mexico continuously for five years on the day of the election[1]
Elections
New Mexico elects governors in the midterm elections, that is, even years that are not presidential election years. For New Mexico, 2018, 2022, 2026, 2030, and 2034 are all gubernatorial election years. Legally, the gubernatorial inauguration is always set for the first day in the January following an election.
In the event of a tie vote, the legislature shall convene and cast ballots to choose among the two top vote getters.[1]
Term limits
New Mexico governors are restricted to two consecutive terms in office, after which they must wait one term before being eligible to run again.
New Mexico Constitution, Article V, Section 1
| [The Governor] shall, after having served two terms in a state office, be ineligible to hold that state office until one full term has intervened.[1] |
Election results
See also: New Mexico gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2030
There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.
See also: New Mexico gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on June 2, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary
Democratic primary for Governor of New Mexico
Sam Bregman (D),Debra Haaland (D), andKen Miyagishima (D) are running in the Democratic primary for Governor of New Mexico on June 2, 2026.
| There are noincumbents in this race. | |||
 = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary
Republican primary for Governor of New Mexico
James Ellison (R),Gregg Hull (R),Steve D. Lanier (R),Duke Rodriguez (R), andDoug Turner (R) are running in the Republican primary for Governor of New Mexico on June 2, 2026.
| There are noincumbents in this race. | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
See also: New Mexico gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022
General election
General election for Governor of New Mexico
IncumbentMichelle Lujan Grisham (D) defeatedMark Ronchetti (R) andKaren Bedonie (L) in the general election for Governor of New Mexico on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) | 52.0 | 370,168 |
 | Mark Ronchetti (R) | 45.6 | 324,701 | |
 | Karen Bedonie (L) | 2.4 | 17,387 | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 712,256 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- David Gordon Steputis (Independent)
Democratic primary
Democratic primary for Governor of New Mexico
IncumbentMichelle Lujan Grisham (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Governor of New Mexico on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Michelle Lujan Grisham | 100.0 | 125,238 |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 125,238 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary
Republican primary for Governor of New Mexico
Mark Ronchetti (R) defeatedRebecca Dow (R),Greg Zanetti (R),Jay Block (R), andEthel Maharg (R) in the Republican primary for Governor of New Mexico on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mark Ronchetti | 58.4 | 68,658 |
 | Rebecca Dow | 15.5 | 18,185 | |
 | Greg Zanetti | 13.9 | 16,394 | |
 | Jay Block | 10.6 | 12,469 | |
 | Ethel Maharg | 1.6 | 1,845 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 117,551 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Louie Sanchez (R)
- Tim Walsh (R)
Libertarian Party primary
Libertarian primary for Governor of New Mexico
Karen Bedonie (L) defeatedGinger Grider (L) in the Libertarian Party primary for Governor of New Mexico on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Karen Bedonie | 86.1 | 980 |
 | Ginger Grider (Write-in) | 13.9 | 158 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 1,138 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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See also: New Mexico gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018
General election
General election for Governor of New Mexico
Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) defeatedSteve Pearce (R) in the general election for Governor of New Mexico on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) | 57.2 | 398,368 |
 | Steve Pearce (R) | 42.8 | 298,091 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 696,459 (100% precincts reporting) | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Christopher Michael Roybal (Independent)
Democratic primary
Democratic primary for Governor of New Mexico
Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) defeatedJeff Apodaca (D) andJoseph Cervantes (D) in the Democratic primary for Governor of New Mexico on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Michelle Lujan Grisham | 66.4 | 116,754 |
 | Jeff Apodaca | 22.2 | 38,975 | |
 | Joseph Cervantes | 11.5 | 20,169 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. | Total votes: 175,898 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Republican primary
Republican primary for Governor of New Mexico
Steve Pearce (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Governor of New Mexico on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Steve Pearce | 100.0 | 75,162 |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. | Total votes: 75,162 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Vacancies
Details of vacancy appointments are addressed underArticle V, Section 7.
If a governor-elect dies, the lieutenant governor-elect shall take office as the governor. However, if a governor-elect fails to qualify, or, for some reason, no one has been elected by Inauguration Day, the lieutenant governor-elect shall take office as acting governor only until a governor does qualify.
The Constitution also allows the legislature to set the procedure for a special election if a governor-elect cannot qualify.
Any temporary or permanent vacancy during a term is filed by thelieutenant governor, who has the full powers, duties, and emoluments of the governor. If the lieutenant governor's office is also vacant, the line of succession is thesecretary of state, the President Pro Tem of theNew Mexico State Senate, and then the Speaker of theNew Mexico House of Representatives.
Duties
New Mexico'sgovernor has the duty to see that theNew Mexico Constitution and the laws of the state are faithfully executed. The governor has the power to appoint and supervise the directors of each executive department. The governor has the responsibility to carry out the duties of commander-in-chief of the militia forces of the state. (§ 4)
Other duties and privileges of the office include:
- Nominating and, with Senate consent, appointing all offices not otherwise provided for by law, including appointing vacancies in all offices except members of the legislature and the lieutenant governor (§ 5)
- Removing any appointees for any reason, unless specifically precluded by law (§ 5)
- Granting pardons and reprieves, except in cases of treason and impeachment (§ 6)
- Taking an annual report, given under oath, from the head of each executive department, concerning the spending of public money. If that report is the only made in a year, it must be given no later than 30 days prior to the start of the legislature's regular session (§ 9)
- Issuing and signing all commissions granted in the name of the state of New Mexico
- Submitting all cabinet heads and cabinet levels appointees for confirmation or reconfirmation by the Senate at the beginning of each gubernatorial term (§ 15)[1]
Divisions
Note:Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Governor of New Mexico has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, pleaseemail us.
State budget
Role in state budget
- See also:New Mexico state budget and finances
New Mexico operates on an annual budget cycle, with each fiscal year beginning in July. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[2]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies byJune 15.
- State agencies submit their budget requests bySeptember 1.
- Public hearings are held fromSeptember through December.
- Thegovernor submits his or her budget proposal to theNew Mexico State Legislature onJanuary 5 or January 10.
- The legislature adopts a budget inFebruary orMarch. A simple majority is required to pass a budget.
New Mexico is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.[2][3]
The governor is statutorily required to submit a balanced budget. Likewise, the legislature is statutorily required to pass a balanced budget.[2]
Governor's office budget
The budget for the governor's office in Fiscal Year 2025 was $6,359,800.[4]
Compensation
The salaries of state executive officers are established by theNew Mexico State Legislature as mandated in the state constitution.Article V, Section 12 of theNew Mexico Constitution established initial salaries for constitutional officers with the state legislature able to adjust these salaries starting in 1922, which was 10 years after the state's admission to the United States. This constitutional provision states the following:[5]
| Text of Section 12: Compensation of Executive Officers The annual compensation to be paid to the officers mentioned in Section One of this article shall be as follows: governor, five thousand dollars [($5,000)]; secretary of state, three thousand dollars ($3,000); state auditor, three thousand dollars ($3,000); state treasurer, three thousand dollars ($3,000); attorney general, four thousand dollars ($4,000); superintendent of public instruction, three thousand dollars ($3,000); and commissioner of public lands, three thousand dollars ($3,000); which compensation shall be paid to the respective officers in equal quarterly payments. The lieutenant governor shall receive ten dollars ($10.00) per diem while acting as presiding officer of the senate, and mileage at the same rate as a state senator. The compensation herein fixed shall be full payment for all services rendered by said officers and they shall receive no other fees or compensation whatsoever. The compensation of any of said officers may be increased or decreased by law after the expiration of ten years from the date of the admission of New Mexico as a state. |
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $110,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[6]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $110,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[7]
2021
In 2021, the governor received a salary of $110,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[8]
2020
In 2020, the governor received a salary of $110,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[9]
2019
In 2019, the governor received a salary of $110,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[10]
2018
In 2018, the governor received a salary of $110,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[11]
2017
In 2017, the governor received a salary of $110,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[12]
2016
In 2016, the governor received a salary of $110,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[13]
2015
In 2015, the governor received a salary of $110,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[14]
2014
In 2014, the governor received a salary of $110,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[15]
2013
In 2013, the governor's salary remained at $110,000.[16]
2010
In 2010, the governor was paid $110,000 a year, the 34th highest gubernatorial salary in America at the time.[17]
History
Partisan balance 1992-2013
From 1992-2013, in New Mexico there were Democratic governors in office for 11 years while there were Republican governors in office for 11 years, including the last three.
Across the country, there were 493 years of Democratic governors (44.82%) and 586 years of Republican governors (53.27%) from 1992 to 2013.
Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.
The chart below shows the partisan composition of theOffice of the Governor of New Mexico, theNew Mexico State Senate and theNew Mexico House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
.PNG)
SQLI and partisanship
The chart below depicts the partisanship of the New Mexico state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. New Mexico experienced two Democratic trifectas during the years of the study, from 1992-1994 and from 2003-2010. The state finished in the bottom-10 during every year of the study. Its worst ranking, finishing 50th, occurred from 1999-2000, during a divided government. Its best ranking, finishing 41st, occurred in 2008, during a Democratic trifecta.
Historical officeholders
There have been 32 Governors of New Mexico since 1912. Of the 32 officeholders, 12 were Republican and 20 were Democrat.[18]
| List of officeholders from 1912-present | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Name | Tenure | Party | ||
| 1 | William Calhoun McDonald | 1912 - 1917 |  Democratic | ||
| 2 | Ezequiel Cabeza De Baca | 1917 - 1917 | Democratic | ||
| 3 | Washington Ellsworth Lindsey | 1917 - 1919 |  Republican | ||
| 4 | Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo | 1919 - 1921 | Republican | ||
| 5 | Merritt Cramer Mechem | 1921 - 1923 | Republican | ||
| 6 | James Fielding Hinkle | 1923 - 1925 | Democratic | ||
| 7 | Arthur Thomas Hannett | 1925 - 1927 | Democratic | ||
| 8 | Richard Charles Dillon | 1927 - 1931 | Republican | ||
| 9 | Arthur Seligman | 1931 - 1933 | Democratic | ||
| 10 | Andrew W. Hockenhull | 1933 - 1935 | Democratic | ||
| 11 | Clyde Tingley | 1935 - 1939 | Democratic | ||
| 12 | John Esten Miles | 1939 - 1943 | Democratic | ||
| 13 | John Joseph Dempsey | 1943 - 1947 | Democratic | ||
| 14 | Thomas Jewett Mabry | 1947 - 1951 | Democratic | ||
| 15 | Edwin Leard Mechem | 1951 - 1955 | Republican | ||
| 16 | John Field Simms | 1955 - 1957 | Democratic | ||
| 17 | Edwin Leard Mechem | 1957 - 1959 | Republican | ||
| 18 | John Burroughs | 1959 - 1961 | Democratic | ||
| 19 | Edwin Leard Mechem | 1961 - 1962 | Republican | ||
| 20 | Thomas Felix Bolack | 1962 - 1963 | Republican | ||
| 21 | Jack M. Campbell | 1963 - 1967 | Democratic | ||
| 22 | David Francis Cargo | 1967 - 1971 | Republican | ||
| 23 | Bruce King | 1971 - 1975 | Democratic | ||
| 24 | Jerry Apodaca | 1975 - 1979 | Democratic | ||
| 25 | Bruce King | 1979 - 1983 | Democratic | ||
| 26 | Toney Anaya | 1983 - 1987 | Democratic | ||
| 27 | Garrey E. Carruthers | 1987 - 1991 | Republican | ||
| 28 | Bruce King | 1991 - 1995 | Democratic | ||
| 29 | Gary E. Johnson | 1995 - 2003 | Republican | ||
| 30 | Bill Richardson | 2003 - 2011 | Democratic | ||
| 31 | Susana Martinez | 2011 - 2019 | Republican | ||
| 32 | Michelle Lujan Grisham | 2019 - present | Democratic | ||
State profile
| Demographic data for New Mexico | ||
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 2,080,328 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 121,298 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 73.2% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 2.1% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 1.4% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 9.1% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 3.3% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 47.4% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 84.2% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 26.3% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $44,963 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 24.7% | 11.3% |
| Source:U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Clickhere for more information on the 2020 census andhere for more on its impact on the redistricting process in New Mexico. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the censushere. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
New Mexicovoted for the Democratic candidate in six out of the seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
Pivot Counties (2016)
Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted forDonald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting forBarack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won thesePivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, three are located in New Mexico, accounting for 1.46 percent of the total pivot counties.[19]
Pivot Counties (2020)
In2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won asRetained Pivot Counties and those won byJoe Biden (D) asBoomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. New Mexico had three Retained Pivot Counties, 1.66 percent of all Retained Pivot Counties.
More New Mexico coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in New Mexico
- United States congressional delegations from New Mexico
- Public policy in New Mexico
- Endorsers in New Mexico
- New Mexico fact checks
- More...
Contact information
Office of the Governor
490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Room 400
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Phone: (505) 476-2200Phone (toll free): (833) 520-0020
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑1.01.11.21.31.41.5New Mexico Secretary of State, "Constitution," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑2.02.12.2National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
- ↑New Mexico State Legislature, "New Mexico General Appropriation Act of 2024," accessed January 22, 2025
- ↑New Mexico Compilation Commission, "8-1-1 Compensation of elective state officers," accessed February 25, 2015
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "CSG Releases 2013 Governor Salaries," June 25, 2013
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑National Governors Association, "Former New Mexico Governors," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip ofAtlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
